JP4387487B2 - Information processing apparatus, network system, information processing method, or recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that acquires information related to a network device connected to a network, an information processing method thereof, and a recording medium that stores the information processing program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, networks have spread rapidly, and by installing a printer server on a network, it is possible to share a printer by a plurality of client computers.
[0003]
However, a client computer program that outputs print data on a shared printer (hereinafter referred to as a shared printer) and manages setting information of the printer, for example, a printer driver, can inquire information directly to the shared printer. I can't.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, the user cannot issue a print instruction from the client computer to the shared printer based on the current state of the shared printer. For this purpose, the client computer needs to acquire the network address of the printer, and directly communicate with the network printer without using the above-described printer server to acquire information about the network printer.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One aspect of the present invention is: An information processing apparatus connected via a network to a server computer in which device information of the network device including the address of the network device is registered, the device including network address information of the network device from the server computer An acquisition unit for acquiring information; an information acquisition unit for acquiring device information from the network device using the network address information acquired by the acquisition unit; When the acquisition unit cannot acquire device information from the server computer, and the information acquisition unit acquires device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the network device is displayed. If the information acquisition means could not acquire the device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the server computer is displayed, Both the device information acquired from the server computer by the acquisition unit and the device information acquired from the network device by the information acquisition unit Is acquired together with information that is included only in the device information acquired from the server computer and information that is included only in the device information acquired from the network device. Display means for displaying.
[0006]
The network system according to the present invention is a network system in which a server computer that provides a network device as a shared device and a client computer are connected via a network, and the server computer uses a network address of the network device. Storage means for storing information, and transmission means for transmitting the network address stored in the storage means to the client computer. The client computer transmits the network address information of the network device to the server computer. Inquiry means for making an inquiry, receiving means for receiving the network address information from the server computer, and the network received by the receiving means Using the address information, and a income means for acquiring device information from the network device, the transmission unit, in response to an inquiry from the inquiry means, and transmits the network address information.
[0007]
An information processing method according to the present invention is an information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a server computer that provides a network device as a shared device, from the server computer to the network device. An acquisition step of acquiring the network address information, and an information acquisition step of acquiring device information from the network device using the network address information acquired in the acquisition step.
[0008]
Furthermore, when the server computer provides a plurality of network devices as shared devices, the server computer has a selection step for selecting the network device from the plurality of network devices, and the acquisition step includes the step of The network address information of the network device selected by the selection step is acquired, and the information acquisition step acquires the device information of the network device selected by the selection step.
[0009]
A storage step of storing the network address information of the network device in a storage unit, and when the network address information of the network device is stored in the storage unit, the information acquisition step includes the storage unit The device information is acquired from the network device using the network address information stored in the network device, and when the network address information of the network device is not stored in the storage unit, the acquiring step includes the step of After obtaining the network address information of the network device from a server computer, the information obtaining step uses the network address information obtained by the obtaining step. And acquiring the device information.
[0010]
Furthermore, when the network address information of the network device is changed, the network device has a receiving step of receiving a change notification from the server computer, and the acquiring step is performed when the change notification is received by the receiving step. The network address information of the network device is acquired from the server computer, and the storage step stores the network address information acquired in the acquisition step in the storage unit.
[0011]
Further, a second information acquisition step for acquiring the device information of the network device from the server computer, and the device information acquired by the information acquisition step with respect to the network device, or acquired by the second information acquisition step And the display step of displaying the device information.
[0012]
Furthermore, the display step displays the device information acquired by the second information acquisition step when the device information cannot be acquired by the information acquisition step, or displays that the device information could not be acquired. Features.
[0013]
Furthermore, it has a time input step for inputting the acquisition time of the device information by the information acquisition step, and the information acquisition step acquires the device information at the acquisition time input in the time input step. Features.
[0014]
The recording medium according to the present invention is readable by a computer in which an information processing program for controlling a computer connected via a network to a server computer that provides a network device as a shared device is stored. A recording medium, wherein the information processing program obtains the network address information of the network device from the server computer, and uses the network address information obtained by the obtaining step to obtain the device from the network device. An information acquisition step for acquiring information is executed by a computer.
[0015]
Furthermore, the information processing program executes, when the server computer provides a plurality of network devices as shared devices, a selection step for selecting the network device from the plurality of network devices. The acquiring step acquires the network address information of the network device selected by the selecting step, and the information acquiring step acquires the device information of the network device selected by the selecting step. It is characterized by.
[0016]
Further, the information processing program causes a computer to execute a storage step of storing the network address information of the network device in a storage unit, and when the network address information of the network device is stored in the storage unit The information acquisition step acquires the device information from the network device using the network address information stored in the storage unit, and the network address information of the network device is not stored in the storage unit In this case, after the acquisition step acquires the network address information of the network device from the server computer, the information acquisition step acquires the network acquired by the acquisition step. And acquires the device information from the network device using the dress information.
[0017]
Further, the information processing program causes the computer to execute a reception step of receiving a change notification from the server computer when the network address information of the network device is changed, and the acquisition step is performed by the reception step. When a change notification is received, the network address information of the network device is acquired from the server computer, and the storage step stores the network address information acquired in the acquisition step in the storage unit. Features.
[0018]
Further, the information processing program may include a second information acquisition step of acquiring the device information of the network device from the server computer, and the device information acquired by the information acquisition step regarding the network device, or the second information acquisition step. (2) causing the computer to execute the display step of displaying the device information acquired in the information acquisition step. Furthermore, the display step displays the device information acquired by the second information acquisition step when the device information cannot be acquired by the information acquisition step, or displays that the device information could not be acquired. Features.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
First, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a network configuration when a network device is connected to a network.
[0021]
A printer 1202 is a printer having an open architecture, and is connected to a network via a network board (NB) 1201. The NB 1201 is connected to a local area network (LAN) 1200 via a local area network interface such as an Ethernet interface 10Base-2 having a coaxial connector and a 10Base-T having an RJ-45.
[0022]
A plurality of personal computers (PCs) such as a PC 1203, a PC 1204, a PC 1211, and a PC 1212 are also connected to the LAN 1200, and these PCs can communicate with the NB 1201 under the control of the network operating system. Accordingly, one of the PCs, for example, the PC 1203 can be used as a network device management PC. Further, the printer 1205 may be locally connected to the PC 1204 as a local printer.
[0023]
A file server PC 1206 is connected to the LAN 1200 and manages access to files stored in a network disk 1207 having a large capacity (for example, 10 billion bytes).
[0024]
The print server PC 1204 manages printing to a printer such as a locally connected printer 1205 or a remote printer 1202.
[0025]
Similarly, the scanner server PC 1215 manages a scanner such as a locally connected scanner 1217 or a scanner 1210 at a remote location.
[0026]
The scanner 1210 is connected to the LAN 1200 via a network board or the like. The multifunction machine 1218 provides functions as a printer and a scanner under the management control of the image processing unit 1219.
[0027]
In the network shown in FIG. 1, network software such as Novell and UNIX can be used to efficiently communicate between various network members. For example, Novell's NetWare (registered trademark of Novell Inc., hereinafter abbreviated) software can be used. For detailed instructions on this software package, please refer to the online documentation included with the NetWare package. This can be purchased from Novell with a NetWare package.
[0028]
Each of the PC 1203, the PC 1211, and the PC 1212 can generate a data file by the user, transmit the generated data file to the LAN 100, receive a file from the LAN 100, and display and / or process the file. It is a general PC. These PCs are called client computers.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, a personal computer device (PC) is shown, but other computer devices suitable for executing network software may be used. For example, if using UNIX software, UNIX workstations may be connected to the network, and these workstations are used with the illustrated PC.
[0030]
In general, the LAN 1200 provides services to a relatively local user group, such as a user group on one floor in one building or a plurality of consecutive floors. On the other hand, a wide area network (WAN) may be constructed as users move away, such as in different buildings or different prefectures.
[0031]
Basically, a WAN is a collection of LANs formed by connecting several LANs with high-speed digital lines such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a LAN is formed by connecting a LAN 1200 and a LAN 1220 by a backbone 140. Devices connected to each of the LAN 1200, the LAN 120, and the LAN 120 can access functions of devices connected to other LANs via a WAN connection.
[0032]
[Explanation of the device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a client computer in the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 102 denotes a video RAM (VRAM). Characters, images, etc. displayed on the screen of the CRT display device 101 are developed and stored in the VRAM 102. A bit move unit (BMU) 103 controls data transfer between memories or between a memory and each device. A keyboard 104 includes various keys for the user to input data and the like. Reference numeral 105 denotes a pointing device (PD) used for the user to point an icon or the like on the screen.
[0033]
A CPU 106 controls each component of the client computer. A ROM 107 stores a boot program, BIOS, and the like. Reference numeral 110 denotes a hard disk drive that accesses an information processing program such as an operating system (OS), application programs, and device drivers, and a hard disk (HD) that stores data, libraries, and the like used by these programs. Control. Similarly, 111 is a floppy disk drive (FDD) that controls access to a floppy disk (FD) in which programs, data, and the like are stored.
[0034]
Reference numeral 109 denotes a RAM, which is used as a work area when the CPU 106 loads and executes various programs from the HD or FD, and as a temporary data saving area when an error occurs.
[0035]
Reference numeral 113 denotes a network interface (Net-I / F), which controls and diagnoses data transfer in the network in order to transfer data with the network device via the network. Reference numeral 108 denotes an I / O bus (consisting of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus) for connecting the above units.
[0036]
In the above configuration, when the user powers on the apparatus, the CPU 106 initializes the apparatus according to the boot program in the ROM 107, loads the OS from the HD, and then operates various programs.
[0037]
Note that the apparatus according to the present embodiment is based on a general-purpose information processing apparatus, and thus the program is stored in a hard disk or the like. Of course, the program may be stored in a ROM or stored. The present invention is not limited by the medium.
[0038]
[Management of shared resources available on the network]
A process for managing and displaying available printers on the network as shared resources will be described below with reference to FIG. In the network of FIG. 2, information processing apparatuses (client computers) 202, 203, and 204 used by a user are connected to a LAN 201. In addition, printers (hereinafter referred to as network printers) 205 and 206 that are directly connected to the network are connected to the LAN 201.
[0039]
On the other hand, reference numeral 207 denotes a server computer, which provides printers that can be used from each client computer using the network printers 205 and 206 as shared resources. Reference numerals 208 and 209 indicate that the network printers 205 and 206 are shared resources by the server computer, respectively.
[0040]
The control configuration of the server computer 207 and the client computers 202, 203, and 204 is as shown in FIG. However, the server computer operates a server program that provides the network printers 205 and 206 to each client computer as shared resources, while the client computer uses the network printers 205 and 206 via the server program. The difference is that the client program is running. Incidentally, of course, there is a computer that is both a server and a client.
[0041]
FIG. 3 shows a window screen 300 of a program for displaying a server computer on the network, a client computer, and a network printer as a shared resource in the client computer.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the server computer, the network printer, and the client computer are displayed using a tree structure so that the user can visually and easily recognize the shared printer that exists in the network.
[0043]
Further, 301 indicates that the “printer 205” is in a state where it can be normally used from the client computer, while 302 indicates that the “printer 206” is abnormal for some reason and cannot be used at present. It shows that it is in a state.
[0044]
Note that the window screen shown in FIG. 3 shows only the usable / unusable state of the printer, but the displayed content is not limited to this, for example, the options provided by the printer Information about the device may be visually displayed. That is, the information that can be acquired from the network printer may be expressed in various forms.
[0045]
Here, the feature of this embodiment is that each client computer obtains information on a network printer as a shared printer not only from the server computer but also by directly communicating with the network printer. . As a result, the user can view the latest and more detailed information about the shared printer. For example, the user can obtain more real-time information by directly inquiring the network printer about whether the network printer can be used or not.
[0046]
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order for the client computer to communicate directly with the network printer, the network address information of the network printer is acquired from the server computer, and the network printer is directly communicated with the network printer. As a method for acquiring the network address, the client computer can also acquire the port information of the shared printer provided by the server computer and extract the network address information included in the port information. Of course, this can also be realized by directly exchanging network addresses between the server computer and the client computer.
[0047]
[Direct communication between client computer and network printer]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when displaying information of the shared printer provided by the server computer in the program operating on the client computer according to the present embodiment.
[0048]
First, in step S401, a shared printer whose information is to be acquired is determined. For example, the network printer 205 in FIG. In step S402, the network address of the designated shared printer is acquired from the server computer. Specifically, the client computer 202 acquires the network address of the network printer of the network printer 205 from the server computer 207.
[0049]
In step S403, the network printer is directly inquired for information using the network address acquired above. That is, the client computer 202 directly acquires information from the network printer 205. Finally, in step S404, information obtained directly from the network printer is displayed on the window screen. Specifically, information about the network printer 205 is displayed on the display device of the client computer 202.
[0050]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the client computer can acquire the network address of the network printer from the server computer, and can directly acquire information from the network printer. Information can be obtained.
[0051]
[How to select a network printer]
Up to this point, there is a server computer that provides a network printer as a shared printer. By obtaining the network address of the network printer from the server computer, direct communication with the network printer is possible, and the communication is It has been explained that information is displayed and provided.
[0052]
Here, in the client computer, the network printer information desired by the user is provided by providing means for allowing the user to select a network printer for which information is to be acquired from the network printers provided as a shared printer by the server computer. How to get and display
[0053]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a window screen when the user selects a network printer. Reference numeral 500 denotes a selection window screen. Reference numeral 501 in the figure is a check button for acquiring information from all shared network printers. On the other hand, reference numeral 502 denotes a check button for acquiring information for only the printer selected in the box 503. In the box 503, a shared printer can be added or deleted using buttons 504 and 505.
[0054]
On the other hand, 510 is an example in which the user operates the pointer 511 using the PD 105 in FIG. 1 on the main window screen similar to FIG. 3 to select a shared printer for which information is to be acquired. Furthermore, not only the PD 105 but also the keyboard can be selected.
[0055]
Here, when the user presses a predetermined button after pointing the printer 205 with a pointer, a menu window like 512 is displayed. With this menu window, the user selects whether to acquire all printer information or only the printer information pointed to by the pointer.
[0056]
In addition to the example shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to use a system menu. The present invention is characterized in that both the means for acquiring information only for the designated printer and the means for acquiring information regarding all the printers are combined using the above-described designation method.
[0057]
In particular, in a network in which many network printers are shared, if each client computer acquires information about all network printers, the load on the network becomes great. Therefore, the load on the network can be reduced by designating a printer in the minimum necessary range desired by the user.
[0058]
On the other hand, when it is desired to acquire / update information of all printers, it is troublesome for the user to specify and set individual printers one by one. Therefore, it is possible to instruct printer information acquisition for the entire printer at once, thereby reducing the load on the user.
[0059]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S601, the client computer determines whether to target all network printers or only selected network printers when acquiring information on network printers that are shared printers.
[0060]
If it is determined that only the selected one is the target, in step S602, the printer selected by the user is registered in the printer list. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S601 that all printers are targeted, in step S604, all printers are registered in the printer list.
[0061]
In step S603, the server computer is inquired about the address of the network printer in the printer list, and information is directly obtained from the printer and displayed.
[0062]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the network load by acquiring and updating information only for the network printer selected by the user in the client computer. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the load on the user by acquiring and updating information regarding all network printers.
[0063]
[Method of storing network address of network printer]
Further, the client computer is provided with means for holding the network address of the network printer acquired from the server computer and means for determining whether or not the network address is already held. An example will be described in which the server computer is inquired about the network address only when there is no network address for the network printer.
[0064]
In the client computer, a list relating to each network printer is created as a method for holding the network address of the shared printer provided by the server computer. Then, the network address of each network printer is held as a corresponding item in the list.
[0065]
Now, the processing procedure in the above method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S701, a network printer whose information is to be acquired is specified according to the user's selection. In step S702, it is determined whether the network address of the specified network printer has already been stored.
[0066]
If the network address is not yet stored (step S702-No), in step S703, the server computer is inquired to acquire the network address of the network printer. In step S704, the acquired network address is stored. In step S705, the network printer is directly inquired for information using the acquired network address.
[0067]
On the other hand, if it already has a network address (step S702-Yes), in step S707, the network printer is inquired for information using the stored network address.
[0068]
Finally, in step S706, the information acquired in steps S707 and S705 is displayed.
[0069]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to avoid inquiring the network address from the server computer each time the client computer acquires information on the shared printer provided by the server computer. It is possible to reduce the load on the server computer and improve the speed of information acquisition processing to the network printer.
[0070]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the network address of the network printer is changed in the server computer, a means for notifying each client computer of the change is provided, so that the network address stored in the client computer is stored. You can know that it has changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the client computer from acquiring information from a printer different from the network printer selected by the user using the wrong network address.
[0071]
[Network address change notification method to client computers]
When the network address of the shared network printer is changed, the server program that senses the change notifies each client computer on the network that the network address has been changed.
[0072]
Hereinafter, the processing procedure will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server computer. First, in step S801, it is determined whether information regarding the network address of the network printer has been changed. If it has not been changed, exit. If changed (step S801-Yes), a change notification is sent to the client computer on the network in step S802. At this time, only the change may be notified, or the changed network address may be notified together with the change notification.
[0073]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the client computer. In step S901, it is determined whether a network address change notification has been received, and if not received, the process ends. On the other hand, if it is received, in step S902, the currently stored network address information is updated to the changed network address. At this time, when only the change notification is received, the client computer inquires of the server computer about the changed network address. When the changed network address is received together with the change notification, the address is stored.
[0074]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the network address is changed, the server computer notifies the change, so that the client computer obtains information directly from the network printer using the accurate network address. Is possible.
[0075]
[Information provided by the host computer and information obtained directly from the network printer]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in the client computer, information on the network printer (hereinafter, information provided by the server computer) provided by the server computer and information directly acquired from the network printer (hereinafter, information acquired from the network printer). ) And providing the user with more appropriate information or both types of information as they are.
[0076]
As shown in FIG. 10, there are four possible combinations of information relating to the network printer: information provided by the server computer and information acquisition status acquired from the network printer.
[0077]
First, when neither the information acquired from the network printer nor the information provided by the server computer can be acquired, a display indicating that the network printer information cannot be acquired is displayed.
[0078]
Next, when the information acquired from the network printer can be acquired, but the information provided by the server computer cannot be acquired, the information obtained from the network printer is displayed.
[0079]
Furthermore, if the information acquired from the network printer cannot be acquired for some reason and only the information can be acquired, the information provided by the server computer is displayed.
[0080]
Finally, when both the information acquired from the network printer and the information provided by the server computer can be acquired, the information that can be acquired only by the respective methods is displayed as it is.
[0081]
As described above, as a feature of the present embodiment, an attempt is made to acquire both information provided by the server computer and information acquired from the network printer, and a more accurate network printer is used by using the acquired information. Information can be provided to the user.
[0082]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure. First, in step S1101, it is determined whether information acquired from the network printer has been acquired. If it can be acquired, it is determined in step S1102 whether the information provided by the server computer has been acquired. If the information provided by the server computer cannot be acquired, in step S1103, information that the user thinks necessary is displayed from the information acquired from the network printer, and the process ends.
[0083]
On the other hand, if the information provided by the server computer can be acquired in step S1102, information that the user thinks necessary is displayed in both the information acquired from the network printer and the information provided by the server computer in step S1104. And exit.
[0084]
If the information acquired from the network printer cannot be acquired in step S1101, it is determined in step S1105 whether the information provided by the server computer has been acquired. If it can be acquired, in step S1106, information that the user thinks necessary is displayed from the acquired information. If the information provided by the server computer cannot be acquired in step S1105, a display indicating that the network printer information cannot be acquired is displayed in step S1107.
[0085]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display more information that the user thinks necessary for information provided by the server computer as well as information acquired from the network printer.
[0086]
[Timing for acquiring network printer information]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the client computer can be updated to the latest information at a timing desired by the user by providing means for performing processing for acquiring information from the network printer by the user. It becomes possible to display more accurate information. In addition, by providing a means for setting the time interval to be acquired, it is possible to periodically acquire information on the network printer.
[0087]
As a timing for acquiring network printer information, a method in which the user directly gives an instruction on a menu screen is conceivable. Another possible method is to display a window screen for specifying the update time for the user and automatically and periodically update the network printer information when the update time is reached.
[0088]
In this embodiment, the case where the server computer provides a network printer as a shared printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the network printer. Even when the server computer provides the scanner or multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. 12 as a shared device, the object of the present invention is achieved.
[0089]
[Recording medium storing client program]
As shown in FIG. 13, the object of the present invention is to change the recording medium (2202 in FIG. 13) on which the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is recorded into the system or apparatus ( Needless to say, this can also be achieved when the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code supplied to 2201) in FIG.
[0090]
Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 from the server computer (2204 in FIG. 13) via the network or the public line (2205 in FIG. 13). Needless to say, this can also be achieved by supplying the system or apparatus and executing the program code supplied by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
[0091]
In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium storing the program code and the server apparatus that sends the program code constitute the present invention. become.
[0092]
In this embodiment, the program and related data are directly loaded from the recording medium into the RAM and executed. However, in addition to this, the program and related data are temporarily stored in the external memory from the external storage medium such as the FD. It may be stored (installed) in a hard disk, which is a removable storage medium, and loaded from the hard disk into the RAM when the data creation / transmission processing control program is operated.
[0093]
As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0094]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, with respect to network printers provided as shared printers by the server computer, the client computer can provide means for directly communicating with these network printers and acquiring information directly. The user can view information other than the information provided by the server computer. As a result, the user can improve the work efficiency by seeing accurate and latest printer information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a client computer.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network.
FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a window screen that displays a shared printer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation process of a client computer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window screen for selecting a network printer.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a network printer from which information is acquired can be selected.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a network address is stored.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the server computer when the network address is changed.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a client computer when a network address is changed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display method according to an acquisition state of information acquired from a network printer and information provided by a server computer.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when information acquired from a network printer and information provided by a server computer can be acquired.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method for supplying a program code.
[Explanation of symbols]
202, 203, 204 Client computer
205, 206 Network printer
207 Server computer
300 window screen
1200 Local Area Network
1201 Network board
1202, 1205, 1216 Printer
1203, 1204 Personal computer
1211, 1212 Personal computer
1221, 1222 Personal computer
1210, 1217 Scanner
1206, 1213 File server
1207, 1214 Network disk
1218 MFP
1219 Image processing unit
1240 backbone

Claims (16)

A network system in which a server computer that provides a network device as a shared device and a client computer are connected via a network,
The server computer
Storage means for storing device information including a network address of the network device;
And a transmitting means for transmitting for the network address stored in said storage means to the client computer, the client computer,
Obtaining means for obtaining device information including network address information of the network device transmitted by the transmitting means of the server computer;
Using the network address information acquired by the acquisition means, information acquisition means for acquiring device information from the network device;
When the acquisition unit cannot acquire device information from the server computer, and the information acquisition unit acquires device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the network device is displayed. If the information acquisition unit cannot acquire the device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the server computer is displayed, the device information acquired by the acquisition unit from the server computer, and the information acquisition unit 併 but if both the acquired device information from the network device is acquired, the information only contains the device information acquired from the server computer and the information that is not included in only the device information acquired from the network device Network system, comprising a display means for displaying Te. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus that communicates with a server computer in which device information of the network device is registered, including the address of the network device,
Obtaining device information including network address information of the network device from the server computer;
An information acquisition step of acquiring device information from the network device using the network address information acquired by the acquisition step;
If the device information cannot be acquired from the server computer in the acquisition step and the device information is acquired from the network device in the information acquisition step, the device information acquired from the network device is displayed, and the server computer is acquired in the acquisition step. It acquires device information from the information if failure to obtain the device information from the network device at acquisition step displays the device information acquired from the server computer, and the device information acquired from the server computer at the acquisition step , wherein when both the acquired device information from the network device by the information acquisition step is acquired, and acquires the information only contains the device information acquired from the server computer, from a network device de A display step of together and only contains the chair information information,
An information processing method characterized by comprising: The server computer provides a plurality of network devices as shared devices, and includes a selection step for selecting the network device from the plurality of network devices;
The acquisition step acquires the network address information of the network device selected by the selection step,
The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition step acquires the device information of the network device selected by the selection step.   When the storage step of storing the network address information of the network device in a storage unit and the information processing method according to claim 2 are provided, and the network address information of the network device is stored in the storage unit The information acquisition step acquires the device information from the network device using the network address information stored in the storage unit, and the network address information of the network device is not stored in the storage unit In this case, after the obtaining step obtains the network address information of the network device from the server computer, the information obtaining step uses the network address information obtained by the obtaining step. The information processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that acquires the device information from the network device Te.   5. The information processing method according to claim 4, further comprising a reception step of receiving a change notification from the server computer when the network address information of the network device is changed, and the acquisition step includes the reception step. When the change notification is received, the network address information of the network device is acquired from the server computer, and the storage step stores the network address information acquired in the acquisition step in the storage unit. The information processing method according to claim 4. A second information acquisition step of acquiring the device information of the network device from the server computer;
The display step of displaying the device information acquired in the information acquisition step or the device information acquired in the second information acquisition step with respect to the network device. 6. The information processing method according to any one of 5.   The display step displays the device information acquired by the second information acquisition step when the device information cannot be acquired by the information acquisition step, or displays that the device information could not be acquired. The information processing method according to claim 6. A time input step for inputting the acquisition time of the device information by the information acquisition step;
8. The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition step acquires the device information at the acquisition time input in the time input step. An information processing apparatus connected via a network to a server computer in which device information of the network device including the address of the network device is registered,
Obtaining means for obtaining device information including network address information of the network device from the server computer;
Using the network address information acquired by the acquisition means, information acquisition means for acquiring device information from the network device;
When the acquisition unit cannot acquire device information from the server computer, and the information acquisition unit acquires device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the network device is displayed. If the information acquisition unit cannot acquire the device information from the network device, the device information acquired from the server computer is displayed, the device information acquired by the acquisition unit from the server computer, and the information acquisition unit 併 but if both the acquired device information from the network device is acquired, the information only contains the device information acquired from the server computer and the information that is not included in only the device information acquired from the network device Display means for displaying Te information processing apparatus characterized by having a. The server computer provides a plurality of network devices as shared devices, and has a selection means for selecting the network device from the plurality of network devices;
The acquisition unit acquires the network address information of the network device selected by the selection unit,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the device information of the network device selected by the selection unit.   When the information processing apparatus has storage means for storing the network address information of the network device in the storage means, and the network address information of the network device is stored in the storage means, the information acquisition means Is obtained from the network device using the network address information stored in the storage means, and the network address information of the network device is not stored in the storage means, After the acquisition unit acquires the network address information of the network device from the server computer, the information acquisition unit uses the network address information acquired by the acquisition unit from the network device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that to obtain the device information.   When the network address information of the network device is changed, the information processing apparatus has a receiving unit that receives a change notification from the server computer, and the acquisition unit receives the change notification by the receiving unit. The network address information of the network device is acquired from the server computer, and the storage unit stores the network address information acquired by the acquisition unit in the storage unit. 11. The information processing apparatus according to 11. Second information acquisition means for acquiring the device information of the network device from the server computer;
10. The network device according to claim 9, further comprising: the display unit that displays the device information acquired by the information acquisition unit or the device information acquired by the second information acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 12.   The display means displays the device information acquired by the second information acquisition means when the device information cannot be acquired by the information acquisition means, or displays that the information could not be acquired. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13. A time input means for inputting the acquisition time of the device information by the information acquisition means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information acquisition unit acquires the device information at the acquisition time input by the time input unit.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 2.

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